Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer-implemented method of addressing a user-reported vehicle condition, the method comprising: receiving, by one or more computing devices, a service request for a vehicle service for a user, wherein the service request is indicative of a location; sending, by the one or more computing devices that are remote from an autonomous vehicle, one or more first control signals to the autonomous vehicle that is configured to provide the vehicle service, wherein one or more of the first control signals indicate that the autonomous vehicle is to travel to the location; receiving, by the one or more computing devices from a user device, a communication indicative of an existence of a condition associated with the autonomous vehicle that reduces a suitability of the autonomous vehicle to provide the vehicle service, wherein the condition is identified by the user; determining, by the one or more computing devices, one or more actions to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based, at least in part, on the existence of the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle; sending, by the one or more computing devices, one or more second control signals to the autonomous vehicle to perform one or more of the actions that comprise the autonomous vehicle travelling to receive maintenance associated with the condition; and sending, by the one or more computing devices, one or more third control signals to another autonomous vehicle that is configured to provide the vehicle service, wherein one or more of the third control signals indicate that the other autonomous vehicle is to travel to the location.
A computer system manages autonomous vehicle services. When a user requests a service (e.g., a ride), the system sends an autonomous vehicle to their location. If the user reports a problem with the vehicle that makes it unsuitable (e.g., a flat tire, cleanliness issue), the system determines what action to take. This might involve sending the vehicle for maintenance. The system then dispatches another autonomous vehicle to fulfill the user's original service request, ensuring the user receives the service they requested despite the issue with the first vehicle.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the actions are to alleviate the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle.
Building upon the system where a user reports an issue with an autonomous vehicle, and the system determines an action, some actions are specifically to fix the problem reported by the user. For example, if the user reports a flat tire, the action taken by the autonomous vehicle might be to travel to a maintenance location to get the tire repaired.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the communication indicative of the existence of the condition is a rejection by the user of the autonomous vehicle for the vehicle service, and wherein at least one of the actions comprises the autonomous vehicle travelling to the maintenance location without providing the vehicle service to the user.
Building upon the system where a user reports an issue with an autonomous vehicle, and the system determines an action, if the user rejects the autonomous vehicle because of the reported problem, the autonomous vehicle will travel to a maintenance location without providing the requested service. The autonomous vehicle will not pick up the user. Instead, it will only travel to the maintenance location to resolve the reported issue before being assigned to another user.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the actions comprise providing the vehicle service to the user, and wherein one or more of the actions comprise travelling to the maintenance location after providing the vehicle service to the user.
Building upon the system where a user reports an issue with an autonomous vehicle, and the system determines an action, the autonomous vehicle may still provide the service to the user despite the reported problem. After providing the service, the vehicle proceeds to a maintenance location for repairs. For example, the user accepts the ride despite minor cosmetic damage and the car is routed to a repair facility after the trip.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition.
Building upon the system where a user reports an issue with an autonomous vehicle, the system verifies that the user-reported problem actually exists before taking action. The system does not automatically assume the user's report is accurate. There is a verification step before dispatching a new vehicle or rerouting the originally dispatched vehicle for maintenance.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition comprises: receiving, by the one or more computing devices, data indicative of the condition from one or more systems on-board the autonomous vehicle; and confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition based, at least in part, on the data indicative of the condition from the one or more systems on-board the autonomous vehicle.
Building upon the system where the reported autonomous vehicle issue is confirmed, the system confirms the issue by receiving data from the vehicle itself. On-board sensors or diagnostic systems on the autonomous vehicle send information about the reported condition to the central system. The system then uses this on-board data to confirm if the user's report is accurate before taking any corrective actions.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the user device is a mobile user device of the user, and wherein confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition comprises: receiving, by the one or more computing devices, image data indicative of the condition from the user device; and confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition based, at least in part, on the image data indicative of the condition.
Building upon the system where the reported autonomous vehicle issue is confirmed, the system uses a mobile app on the user's phone to gather evidence. The user takes a picture of the problem (e.g., a stain, damage) and sends the image to the system. The system analyzes the image to confirm the existence of the reported condition before taking actions such as re-routing the vehicle or dispatching a replacement.
8. A system for addressing a user-reported vehicle condition, the system comprising: one or more processors that are remote from an autonomous vehicle; and one or more memory devices, the one or more memory devices storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving a service request for a vehicle service, wherein the service request is indicative of a location; identifying the autonomous vehicle to provide the vehicle service; sending one or more first control signals to the autonomous vehicle indicating that the autonomous vehicle is to travel to the location; receiving, from a user device, a communication indicative of an existence of a condition associated with the autonomous vehicle, wherein the condition reduces a suitability of the autonomous vehicle to provide the vehicle service, and wherein the condition is identified by a user; determining one or more actions to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based, at least in part, on the existence of the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle; sending one or more second control signals to the autonomous vehicle to perform one or more of the actions that comprise the autonomous vehicle travelling to receive maintenance associated with the condition; and sending one or more third control signals to another autonomous vehicle that is configured to provide the vehicle service, wherein one or more of the third control signals indicate that the other autonomous vehicle is to travel to the location.
A computer system dispatches and manages a fleet of autonomous vehicles. When a user requests a vehicle service at a specific location, the system selects an autonomous vehicle and sends it to the user. If the user reports a problem making the vehicle unsuitable, the system determines appropriate actions, such as sending the vehicle for maintenance. A different autonomous vehicle is then dispatched to the user's location to provide the original requested service. User-reported issues trigger maintenance and replacement vehicle dispatches.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the communication indicative of the existence of the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle indicates that the autonomous vehicle is not suitable to provide the vehicle service to the user.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system, the communication from the user specifically states that the autonomous vehicle is not suitable to provide the requested service. This explicit rejection of the vehicle triggers the action determination process, potentially leading to maintenance rerouting and dispatch of an alternative vehicle.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the user device is configured to receive, from the user, a user input indicative of the existence of the condition.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system, the user's phone or device has a way for the user to report the problem. The user device has an interface that allows users to send input about the existence of the problem with the autonomous vehicle, allowing the central system to manage the issue.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the user device is a mobile device associated with the user, and wherein the user device is configured to display a user interface via a display device of the user device, and wherein the user input is provided via interaction with the user interface.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system, the user reports the issue via a mobile app on their phone. The app displays a user interface, and the user interacts with this interface to provide input about the problem with the autonomous vehicle (e.g., selecting a reason from a list, typing a description, uploading a photo).
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise: determining a volume of service requests for the vehicle service, and wherein one or more of the actions are based at least in part on the existence of the condition and the volume of service requests for the vehicle service.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system, when determining the action to take after a user reports a problem, the system considers how many other service requests are currently active. If demand is high, the system might prioritize keeping the original vehicle in service (if the issue is minor) rather than immediately sending it for maintenance. The action taken depends on both the reported problem and the overall service demand.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise: determining whether the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle does or does not exist.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system, the system includes a process to determine whether or not the user-reported condition actually exists before taking any action. This verification step helps to prevent fraudulent or inaccurate reports from unnecessarily taking vehicles out of service.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprise: applying a reward to a profile associated with the user when it is determined that the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle does exist or a penalty to the profile associated with the user when it is determined that the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle does not exist.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system where the system confirms the user-reported condition, the system implements a reputation system. If the system confirms the user's report is accurate, the user may receive a reward (e.g., a discount). If the system determines the user's report is false, the user may receive a penalty (e.g., temporary account suspension).
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprise: determining a user that caused the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle; and applying a penalty to a profile associated with the user that is determined to have caused the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system where the system confirms the user-reported condition, the system tries to identify who caused the problem with the autonomous vehicle. If the system identifies a user who damaged the vehicle, that user's profile receives a penalty (e.g., increased service fees).
16. One or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by one or more processors that are remote from an autonomous vehicle cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving a service request for a vehicle service for a user; identifying the autonomous vehicle to provide the vehicle service to the user, wherein the autonomous vehicle is included in a fleet of vehicles of a service provider; receiving, from a user device, a communication indicative of an existence of an adverse condition associated with the autonomous vehicle, wherein the condition is identified by the user; determining one or more actions to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based, at least in part, on the existence of the adverse condition associated with the autonomous vehicle; sending one or more control signals to the autonomous vehicle to perform one or more of the actions that comprise the autonomous vehicle travelling to receive maintenance associated with the condition; and sending one or more other control signals to another autonomous vehicle that is configured to provide the vehicle service, wherein one or more of the third control signals indicate that the other autonomous vehicle is to provide the vehicle service to the user.
A computer-readable medium contains instructions for managing a fleet of autonomous vehicles. When a user requests a ride, the system dispatches an autonomous vehicle. If the user reports a problem with the vehicle (e.g., cleanliness, damage), the system decides what action to take. This might involve sending the vehicle for maintenance. The system then sends another autonomous vehicle to provide the ride to the user. The user's report triggers maintenance and replacement.
17. The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the vehicle service is a transportation service, and wherein the adverse condition reduces a suitability of the autonomous vehicle to provide the transportation service.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system stored on computer-readable media, the service is transportation, and the problem reported by the user reduces the vehicle's suitability for transportation. Examples include unpleasant odors, spills, or malfunctioning entertainment systems that make the ride less comfortable or enjoyable for the passenger.
18. The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17 , wherein the user is a current rider of the autonomous vehicle, and wherein the condition is identified by the user while the user is riding in the autonomous vehicle for the transportation service.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system where the vehicle provides transportation services, the user reporting the problem is currently riding in the autonomous vehicle. The user reports the issue during the ride, allowing for immediate action to be taken, such as rerouting the vehicle or dispatching a replacement car.
19. The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the user device is associated with the autonomous vehicle, and wherein the user device is configured to receive user input indicative of the existence of the condition.
Building upon the autonomous vehicle management system where the user reports the problem during the ride, the vehicle has a user device. The user device within the vehicle enables the user to report problems with the vehicle, offering an interface for providing feedback on the ride experience.
20. A computer-implemented method of addressing a user-reported vehicle condition, the method comprising: receiving, by one or more computing devices, a service request for a vehicle service for a user, wherein the service request is indicative of a location; sending, by the one or more computing devices that are remote from an autonomous vehicle, one or more first control signals to the autonomous vehicle that is configured to provide the vehicle service, wherein one or more of the first control signals indicate that the autonomous vehicle is to travel to the location; receiving, by the one or more computing devices from a user device, a communication indicative of an existence of a condition associated with the autonomous vehicle that reduces a suitability of the autonomous vehicle to provide the vehicle service, wherein the condition is identified by the user; determining, by the one or more computing devices, one or more actions to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based, at least in part, on the existence of the condition associated with the autonomous vehicle; sending, by the one or more computing devices, one or more second control signals to the autonomous vehicle to perform one or more of the actions that comprise the autonomous vehicle travelling to receive maintenance associated with the condition; and confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition, wherein the user device is a mobile user device of the user, and wherein confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition comprises receiving, by the one or more computing devices, image data indicative of the condition from the user device; and confirming, by the one or more computing devices, the existence of the condition based, at least in part, on the image data indicative of the condition.
A computer system manages autonomous vehicle services. When a user requests a ride, the system sends an autonomous vehicle to their location. If the user reports a problem with the vehicle, the system determines what action to take, potentially sending it for maintenance. The system confirms the user's report by receiving image data from the user's mobile device and analyzing that image data. If confirmed, the system takes action based on the condition.
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November 14, 2017
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